utive gs in ords When Pozo adopted Abate and Ali, he vowed to take great care of them. And he did his best. But in and Abate and Ali did exactly as they were told not to Their greatest passion was snail-hunting. As he left home for an important meeting one District afternoon, Pozo told the boys that he would be particularly pleased if they did not join any snail- hunting group or go snail-hunting by themselves. He even promised surprise presents if they abstained from snail-hunting for once. It was quite obvious to : Life in everyone that there would be snail-hunting as there 7 the had been a heavy downpour that morning. Pozo's meeting was a marathon. When he arrived home at 8.30 that night, neither of the boys was at home. He felt that something grave might junior have happened. He stood still for sometime confused. He switched on his radio and tuned in to his favourite station, Hiawa FM and the breaking news was: "Five snail-hunters have been run over a Yaaboi by the early evening in-coming Densuano- bound train". As the dreadful news hit him, Pozo winced. ur did not notice AS All